UMass Dartmouth to eliminate 2 vice-chancellors

Tuesday

Apr 28, 2009 at 7:29 PM

DARTMOUTH — UMass Dartmouth will cut $1 million in non-union administrative positions for the coming fiscal year, eliminating two of its five vice-chancellor positions, Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack has announced.

DARTMOUTH — UMass Dartmouth will cut $1 million in non-union administrative positions for the coming fiscal year, eliminating two of its five vice-chancellor positions, Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack announced.

Dr. Jean Kim, vice chancellor for student affairs, and Dr. Robert Green Vice Chancellor for Library Services, Information and Technology will be leaving the university, as part of what MacCormack describes in a letter to the UMass community as “a major administrative streamlining with greater coordination and integration of programs and services within fewer executive areas.”

Kim is pursuing other opportunities, MacCormack said. Green, she said, plans to retire.

The moves come in the wake of continued funding uncertainty for the public university system in a state that faces a budget deficit of $3 billion to $5 billion.

MacCormack cited several steps the university took to balance its budget for the current fiscal year and avoid layoffs, including a wage freeze and leaves without pay for non-union employees.

With the elimination of a vice chancellor for Student Affairs, those responsibilities will fall under the umbrella of Academic Affairs — a move MacCormack says shows the university is “institutionalizing the integration of student life with our students’ academic experience.”

Responsibilities currently assigned to the vice chancellor for Library Services, Information and Technology will fall under the umbrella of Administration and Fiscal Affairs.

Additional actions to strengthen the university’s financial position will include include:

-- Reduction in non-personnel operating budgets of $1 million, including elimination of bottled water for offices, reduction in copying costs and other similar items.-- A wage freeze for all non-union executives earning more than $120,000 per year.-- Investment in private fundraising and grant development.-- Investment in enrollment development

“There is no room for complacency in our approach to the current fiscal situation, “MacCormack said. “The support of our governor, Legislature, and the federal government allows us some planning space and time, but does not immunize us against the responsibility to make difficult decisions. Higher education institutions, businesses, and families across the nation are all engaged in similar processes. I have no doubt that making smart decisions today will strengthen our institution for tomorrow.”